Finance
Nenadi make case for Africa voice, representation in World Bank/IMF
By Omoh Gabriel,
Finance Minister Mrs Esther Nenadi Usman is to press at the ongoing World Bank/IMF meeting in Singapore for an increased Africa voice and representation at the World Financial body. She is billed to present the position of Africa Group 1Ministers of Finance at the meeting. The presentation made are based on issues that were previously discussed in Mupota. In her presentation to the IMFC committee on behalf of the group, she expressed concern that the robustness in global growth has been accompanied by many downside risks. Among the risk she said are intensified inflationary pressure, higher oil prices, global imbalances and cooling of housing markets in a number of industrial countries Besides she said a greater potential for adoption of increased protectionist measures and more trade distortions exist in the wake of the breakdown of the Doha round of trade negotiations. In her presentation she said that the impact of higher global oil prices has been disruptive, but well absorbed by the market partly reflecting the growing global demand for oil, as well as relatively well anchored high oil price and inflationary expectations. This situation she told the IMF Board of Governors is proving more intractable to manage and could be unsustainable in the medium to long term. She told the Board that net oil importing countries especially those in sub sahara Africa are experiencing increasing difficulty in managing balance of payments problem as well as fiscal pressures associated with high oil prices.
She raised the issue of the significant tightening of financial market conditions by developed economies. Of particular concern she said is the fact that they appear to occur partly as a rasult of a rise in inflationary expectations and not merely from a more gradual adjustment in savings and investment behaviour. This action she said could adversely affect emerging economies as it could lead to cost of borrowing in low income countries and dampening effect on investment, growth, poverty reduction and on efforts aimed at meeting the MDGS.
Another of the issue she spoke about is global macro economic stability as it affects the continent, the flow of AID etc. Another presentation made by the Africa group here in Singapore to the IMF is on corruption and good governance. According to her the Africa group on development have taken a critique of the bank saying while on the one hand it lay on due emphasis on good governance from Africa leaders it turn a blind eye to those who steal money from the continent and stow them away in their banks in Europe and America. Africa Finance ministers are thus demanding from the developed countries a war on corruption in such a manner that will make looted money just like laundered money illegal with no hiding place in developed economies as a sign that they are out to fight corruption.
At an earlier preparatory meeting with the IMF Managing Director Mr. De Rato, Friday the minister defended Nigeria position in the world oil market stating that Nigeria has managed well the gains from higher oil prices referred as excess crude revenue. According to her, the IMF boss was concerned about the global effect of higher oil prices on the economies of importing as well as exporting countries. She told reporters in Singapore that rising oil prices has both positive and negative effects on the economy.
Continuing she said that in Nigeria the oil price shocks has resulted in oil wind fall in the form of increased revenue inflow into the coffer of government which the government has managed well through savings of the excess revenue in order to ensure macro economic stability. She said that the deployment of part of the excess revenue from crude oil earnings into the financing of power projects and agriculture were in a bid to ensure proper utilisation of the resources minding the implication of uncontrolled injection of funds into the economy.
Mrs Usman said that the IMF in its to be released evaluation of the Nigeria economic performance through the Policy Support Instrument has commended the federal government over the prudent management of its resources.
She said that the Nigeria Policy Support Instrument, the NEEDS was the first of its kind to be endorsed by the IMF and that it has become a model for other developing countries. It has been exported to other countries she beamed.
She said that the effective management of the excess crude revenue was a challenge to the federal government due to the high expectation of Nigerians who are of the view that since there is more coming in from oil, there should be increased spending by government. She said that if the excess oil revenue is spent the way Nigerians are clamouring for it would lead to inflation and depreciation of the naira as their would be demand pressure on foreign exchange which is capable of eroding the gains so far made through the economic reforms.
Fielding questions from reporters who wanted to know if the focus of Nigeria at the meeting was to explain the position of Nigeria on oil prices, she said that Nigeria’s focus or thrust of presentation was not to explain away the use of the gains from rising oil prices to the international community but to press for a voice and increase representation of Africa at the world financial monitor as Nigeria is in Africa group one countries in the IMF schedule.
Explaining further she said that the federal government has evolved a medium term policy programme that ensures that programmes embarked upon by the government are well coordinated and accommodated between budgets.
The CBN Governor Professor Charles Soludo who was in the company of the minister reechoed reinforced the Minister’s position said further that because of the fiscal discipline of the present government, there has been some measure of macro economic stability which made the IMF to give the Nigeria economy a clean bill.
Finance
Afreximbank successfully closed its second Samurai Bond transactions, raising JPY 81.8bn or $527m
African Export-Import Bank said it has successfully closed its second Samurai bond transaction, securing a total of JPY 81.8 billion (approx. USD 527 million) through Regular and Retail Samurai Bonds offerings.
The execution surpasses the Bank’s 2024 debut issuance size, attracting orders from more than 100 institutional and retail investors, marking a renewed demonstration of strong Japanese investor confidence in the Bank’s credit and its growing presence in the yen capital markets.
On 18 November, Afreximbank priced a JPY 45.8 billion 3-year tranche in the Regular Samurai market following a comprehensive sequence of investor engagement activities leveraging Tokyo International Conference on African Development (TICAD9), including Non-Deal Roadshows (NDRs) in Tokyo, Kanazawa, Kyoto, Shiga and Osaka, a Global Investor Call, and a two-day soft-sounding process which tested investor appetite across 2.5-, 3-, 5-, 7-, and 10-year maturities.
With market expectations of a Bank of Japan interest rate increase, investor demand concentrated in shorter tenors, resulting in a focused 3-year tranche during official marketing.
The tranche attracted strong participation from asset managers (22.3%), life insurers (15.3%), regional corporates, and high-net-worth investors (39.7%).
Concurrently, Afreximbank priced its second Retail Samurai bond on 18 November, a JPY 36.0 billion 3-year tranche, more than double the inaugural JPY 14.1 billion Retail Samurai issuance completed in November 2024.
The 2025 Retail Samurai bond also marks the first Retail Samurai bond issued in Japan in 2025.
Following the amendment to Afreximbank’s shelf registration on 7 November 2025, SMBC Nikko conducted an extensive seven-business-day demand survey through its nationwide branch network, followed by a six-business-day bond offering period.
The offering benefited from strong visibility supported by Afreximbank’s investor engagement across the country, including the Bank’s participation at TICAD9, where Afreximbank hosted the Africa Finance Seminar to introduce Multinational Development Bank’s mandate in Africa and its credit profile to key Japanese institutional investors.
MBC Nikko Securities Inc. acted as Sole Lead Manager and Bookrunner for both the Regular and Retail Samurai transactions. Chandi Mwenebungu, Afreximbank’s Managing Director, Treasury & Markets and Group Treasurer, commented:
“We are pleased with the successful completion of our second Samurai bond transactions, which marked a significant increase from our inaugural Retail Samurai bond in 2024, and which reflect the growing depth of our relationship with Japanese investors.
The strong demand, both in the Regular and Retail offerings, demonstrates sustained confidence in Afreximbank’s credit and mandate.
We remain committed to deepening our engagement in the Samurai market through regular investor activities and continued collaboration with our Japanese partners.”
Ecobank Nigeria, a member of Africa’s leading pan-African banking group, has announced the launch of the Ecobank SME Bazaar—a two-weekend festive marketplace designed to celebrate local creativity, empower entrepreneurs, and give Lagos residents a premium shopping experience this Detty December. The Bazaar will hold on 29–30 November and 6–7 December at the Ecobank Pan African Centre (EPAC), Ozumba Mbadiwe Road, Victoria Island, Lagos. Speaking ahead of the event, Omoboye Odu, Head of SMEs, Ecobank Nigeria, reaffirmed the bank’s commitment to supporting small and medium-sized businesses, describing them as the heartbeat of Nigeria’s economy. She explained that the Ecobank SME Bazaar was created to enhance visibility for entrepreneurs, expand market access, and support sustainable business growth.
According to her, “This isn’t just a market—it’s a vibrant hub of culture, commerce, and connection. From fresh farm produce to trendy fashion, handcrafted pieces, lifestyle products, and delicious food and drinks, the Ecobank SME Bazaar promises an unforgettable experience for both shoppers and participating SMEs. Whether you’re shopping for festive gifts, hunting for unique finds, or soaking in the Detty December energy, this is the place to be.” Ms. Odu added that participating businesses will enjoy increased brand exposure, deeper customer engagement, and meaningful networking opportunities—making the Bazaar a strong platform for both festive-season sales and long-term business growth. The event is powered by Ecobank in partnership with TKD Farms, Eko Marche, Leyyow, and other SME-focused organisations committed to building sustainable enterprises.
The Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) has said that16 banks have so far met the new capital requirements for their various licences, some four months before the March 31, 2026 deadline. The apex bank also indicated that 27 other banks have raised capital through various methods in one of the most extensive financial sector reforms since 2004. Addressing journalists at the end of the Monetary Policy Committee (MPC) meeting in Abuja, CBN Governor Mr Olayemi Cardoso said the banking recapitalisation was going on orderly, consistent with the regulator’s expectations. He said, “We are monitoring developments, and indications show the process is moving in the right direction.” Nigeria has 44 deposit-taking banks, including seven commercial banks with international authorisation, 15 with national authorisation, four with regional authorisation, four non-interest banks, six merchant banks, seven financial holding companies and one representative office.
Cardoso explained that eight commercial banks had met the N500 billion capital requirement as of July 22, 2024, rising to 14 by September of the same year. The number has now increased to 16 as the industry continues to race toward full compliance. He said that the reforms would reinforce the resilience of Nigerian banks both within the country and across the continent. “We are building a financial system that will be fit for purpose for the years ahead. Many Nigerian banks now operate across Africa and have been innovative across different markets. These new buffers will better equip them to manage risks in the multiple jurisdictions where they operate,” Cardoso said. According to him, the reforms would strengthen the financial sector’s capability to support households and businesses. He said, “Ultimately, this benefits Nigerians—our traders, our businesses and our citizens—who operate across those regions. “It should give everyone comfort to know that Nigerian banks with deep local understanding are present to support them. Commercial banks are also creating their own buffers through the ongoing recapitalisation.”
He added that the apex bank considered several factors in determining the new capital thresholds, including prevailing macroeconomic conditions, stress test results and the need for stronger risk buffers. He reassured on the regulator’s commitment to strict oversight as the consolidation progresses. “We will rigorously enforce our ‘fit and proper’ criteria for prospective new shareholders, senior management, and board members of banks, and proactively monitor the integrity of financial statements, adequacy of financial resources, and fair valuation of banks’ post-merger balance sheets,” Cardoso said. He said the CBN remained confident that the banking system would emerge stronger at the conclusion of the recapitalization exercise, with institutions better prepared to support Nigeria’s economic transformation Banks have up till March 31, 2026 to beef up their minimum capital base to the new standard set by the apex bank. Under the new minimum capital base, CBN uses a distinctive definition of the new minimum capital base for each category of banks as the addition of share capital and share premium, as against the previous use of shareholders’ funds.
While most banks have shareholders’ funds in excess of the new minimum capital base, their share premium and share capital significantly fall short of the new minimum definition. The CBN had in March 2024 released its circular on review of minimum capital requirement for commercial, merchant and non-interest banks. The apex bank increased the new minimum capital for commercial banks with international affiliations, otherwise known as mega banks, to N500 billion; commercial banks with national authorisation, N200 billion and commercial banks with regional license, N50 billion. Others included merchant banks, N50 billion; non-interest banks with national license, N20 billion and non-interest banks with regional license will now have N10 billion minimum capital. The 24-month timeline for compliance ends on March 31, 2026. Under the guidelines for the recapitalisation exercise, banks are expected to subject their new equity funds to capital verification before the clearance of the allotment proposal and release of the funds to the bank for onwards completion of the offer process and addition of the new capital to its capital base. The CBN is the final signatory in a tripartite capital verification committee that included the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) and the Nigeria Deposit Insurance Corporation (NDIC). The committee is saddled with scrutinising new funds being raised by banks under the ongoing banking sector recapitalisation exercise.
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